School Holidays Time For A Check-up

Don’t Miss out on Putney Dental Surgery’s

School Holidays Offer

It’s never too early to begin teaching good oral hygiene to your children. Behaviour learnt when they’re young tend to stick with them throughout life.

The need for this is increasingly important with tooth decay among children on the rise, with more than half of all 6 year olds having some decay in their baby and adult teeth, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Where to start

You should start caring for your child’s oral health from when they’re a baby and into their toddler years so by the time they reach 2 years of age or so, they are well-versed in what it takes to keep their teeth healthy. They will require assistance from you until about the age of 7 or 8 but even then, it’s a good idea to supervise them when they’re brushing and flossing their teeth.

There are a number of key things to keep in mind when it comes to keeping your kids’ teeth in tip-top condition.

Baby teeth matter

Yes, they eventually fall out to make way for adult teeth but that doesn’t mean cleaning them isn’t important. If decay causes them to be removed, it can cause crowding problems with their adult teeth emerge. So ensure they brush their teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, which they shouldn’t swallow, remembering to brush for at least two minutes at a time. Try using an egg timer to make keeping time fun for your child. Flossing, with parental assistance until the age of 10 or when they are able to do it themselves, should start as soon as children have two teeth in contact.

Regular dentist visits

Kicking off at the age of 2 at the latest,  your child should see their dentist regularly and understand that visiting them is an important part of growing up. If you receive benefits such as Family Tax Benefit A payments, you can take advantage of government programs such as the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

Good eating and drinking habits

To develop strong teeth, your children need a healthy, balanced diet made up of fresh foods such as vegetables, cheese and lean meats, minimal high-sugar foods such as biscuits and muesli bars, and fluoridated tap water.

Dental trauma

Accidents happen! And when they do, your kids’ teeth may get knocked out or damaged. Familiarise yourself with dental first aid means that you will be well prepared for handling dental trauma correctly.

Dr Sushma Patel is back from her holiday just in time to look after the oral health of your children while they are on school holidays

Don’t forget to check with Medicare if you are eligible for the Child Dental Benefit Scheme or call one of our friendly staff at Putney Dental Surgery with the child’s medicare number and they will happily assist you by checking on line for your eligibility

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